The National Assembly has successfully passed the long-awaited 26th Constitutional Amendment in the wee hours of Monday, following a marathon session of the Senate.
According to details, with a resounding vote of 225 in favor and only 12 against, the amendment is considered to be a significant achievement for the incumbent government, with a two-thirds majority in the parliament.
The NA session had been postponed till Tuesday at 5:00 pm.
Meanwhile, a ceremony for the signing of the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act Bill is scheduled to take place at the Aiwan-e-Sadr in Islamabad today (Monday).
The event is scheduled to begin at 6:00 am, where President Asif Ali Zardari will formally endorse the bill following its approval by the Senate and National Assembly.
Earlier, expressing his thoughts during the key NA session, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar had said the establishment of the judicial commission that will include top legal officials and senior judges.
"The Attorney General and representatives from the Pakistan Bar will also be part of the Commission," Tarar confirmed.
He said, "Three of the most senior judges from the Supreme Court will join the judicial commission."
"The chief justice will lead the judicial commission," he added.
Acknowledging the efforts of PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, Tarar stated, "Bilawal Bhutto has worked tirelessly for the constitutional amendment."
He had also credited JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, saying, "Maulana Fazlur Rehman played a crucial role in achieving consensus on the draft."
The law minister said: "The constitutional benches for the high courts have been introduced."
"We will decide on appointments of judges in the higher judiciary through collective consultation," Tarar said.
"When chief justices with six or seven years of experience came, we all witnessed what transpired," he lamented.
The chief justice's tenure has been capped at three years.
Following a brief recess, the National Assembly session resumed, where these crucial reforms were discussed in detail.
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Earlier, after numerous delays and debates, the Senate had approved the Constitution (26th Amendment) Act, 2024, endorsing 22 clauses of the legislation.
Known as the constitutional package, it has included proposals such as extending the chief justice's term. A parliamentary committee with diverse party representation had been reviewing various suggestions, culminating in today’s approval from the federal cabinet, supported by coalition partners, emphasising national development and public welfare.
Earlier, Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar tabled the 26th constitutional amendment in the Senate.
According to details, the Senate session started on Sunday after the long delay in connection with the tabling of the constitutional amendment.
Senate Chairman Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani chaired a key Senate session.
64 of the senators were present during the session.
The 65 lawmakers extended their support to ensure the passing of the constitutional amendment. Out of 65, 58 government lawmakers, five JUI-F leaders, and two BNP senators had voted for the amendment.
Meanwhile, the PTI, SIC, and MWM had decided against voting for the amendment.
Five of the JUI-F amendments were also approved.
Subsequently, Senate session had adjourned until Tuesday (October 22).
– PTI will not vote on constitutional amendment, reiterates Barrister Gohar –
Earlier on Sunday, hours before the Senate session, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Barrister Gohar Ali Khan reiterated that his party will not vote on the constitutional amendment.
Speaking to media flanked by JUI-F chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, Khan said: "We have made considerations on the draft proposed by the government. We understand the matters pertaining to the constitutional amendment with depth."
"Bringing the amendment in the constitution is a serious matter," he added.
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